May 2 2013 By Carl Gavaghan
THE government has given the go ahead for a much-opposed new primary school in Hayes.
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, has said the council’s proposal for Lake Farm School in Lake Farm Country park, off Botwell Lane is in line with national policy and should be determined locally.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced last month that he would not intervene in the borough’s plans to build a school on the three hectares of green belt land.
Mr Johnson has been persuaded that the necessary ‘very special circumstances’ – the urgent need to provide extra primary school places – outweighs the loss of green belt.
The council examined 26 possible alternatives before concluding that the Lake Farm site was the only viable option.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Ray Puddifoot, said:
“It is the policy of this administration that every child in Hillingdon will have a place at a local school when they reach primary school age. I am pleased that both the Secretary of State and the Mayor of London agree with our policy and that this is the only suitable site in the area.
“Any other decision or cause for delay would have been a disgraceful betrayal of the children of that area of Hayes.”
The school, which the council wants open by 2015, will accommodate 630 children.
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Thursday, 2 May 2013
Friday, 26 April 2013
!! Urgent Petition by 30th April !!
Dear Friends
I am emailing with further developments with regard to the building of a school on Lake Farm.
As you are aware Hillingdon Council forced through its Planning Committee plans to build a primary school on Lake Farm Country Park set in the green belt.
This was then passed on to the Mayor for London for his consideration. Sadly Boris Johnson, the Mayor for London gave the London Borough of Hillingdon the go ahead.
The issue for us now is that even with full planning permission the council cannot legally build on Lake Farm because of the Section 106 agreement it entered into with Stockley Park over the development of the "Trident" site. This was raised at the planning meeting but the legal officer dismissed this as not relevant to the application in front of the committee.
This has resulted in the council employing a QC for legal advice. The advice the council has been given is to either seek the permission of the other party to the agreement (i.e. Stockley Park) or if they wish to proceed without that permission, they can advertise an appropriation of open land for development and then after considering any objections they can disregard any legal agreement.
I am urging residents to sign the petition of objection or to write to the council with their individual letters of objection.
Click here to download the petition of objection
We do not have much time as the closing date for objections is 30th April.
Please sign the petition, encourage your friends, neighbours and members of your organisation to sign it and return it to my office by 30th April.
John McDonnell MP
Constituency Office
Pump Lane
Hayes
Middlesex
UB3 3NB
I am emailing with further developments with regard to the building of a school on Lake Farm.
As you are aware Hillingdon Council forced through its Planning Committee plans to build a primary school on Lake Farm Country Park set in the green belt.
This was then passed on to the Mayor for London for his consideration. Sadly Boris Johnson, the Mayor for London gave the London Borough of Hillingdon the go ahead.
The issue for us now is that even with full planning permission the council cannot legally build on Lake Farm because of the Section 106 agreement it entered into with Stockley Park over the development of the "Trident" site. This was raised at the planning meeting but the legal officer dismissed this as not relevant to the application in front of the committee.
This has resulted in the council employing a QC for legal advice. The advice the council has been given is to either seek the permission of the other party to the agreement (i.e. Stockley Park) or if they wish to proceed without that permission, they can advertise an appropriation of open land for development and then after considering any objections they can disregard any legal agreement.
I am urging residents to sign the petition of objection or to write to the council with their individual letters of objection.
Click here to download the petition of objection
We do not have much time as the closing date for objections is 30th April.
Please sign the petition, encourage your friends, neighbours and members of your organisation to sign it and return it to my office by 30th April.
John McDonnell MP
Constituency Office
Pump Lane
Hayes
Middlesex
UB3 3NB
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Boris's approval is a 'disgraceful betrayal' says Labour MP
Apr 24 2013 by Jack Griffith, Uxbridge Gazette
HILLINGDON Council has taken a major step towards building its much-opposed primary school at Lake Farm Country Park, after the Mayor of London gave the project his backing.
Boris Johnson announced last week that he would not intervene in the borough’s plans to build a school on three hectares of green belt land, at the eastern end of Lake Farm Country park, off Botwell Lane, Hayes.
Mr Johnson has been persuaded that the necessary ‘very special circumstances’ – the urgent need to provide extra primary school places – outweighs the loss of green belt.
In his report, he states the search for alternative sites, 26 were considered in total, was ‘robust’.
The council approved the proposals during a stormy meeting in March, when councillors were heckled by a crowd of protestors.
The following week, Hayes and Harlington Labour MP John McDonnell took campaigners to City Hall to deliver letters to the mayor, urging him to use his powers and overturn the decision.
Mr Johnson’s approval has infuriated Mr McDonnell, who called it a ‘disgraceful betrayal of our local community.’
The progress of the development is now solely down to the Secretary of State, who also has to consider the application. His decision is imminent.
Councillor Ray Puddifoot, the leader of the council, said: “We are extremely pleased that the Mayor of London has recognised the importance of a good start in life for the children of Hayes and supported the building of a new school at Lake Farm.
“Opponents of the scheme have been given every opportunity to come up with an alternative site, but nothing feasible has materialised so we need to press ahead with the agreed proposal.”
The school, which the council wants open by 2015, will accommodate 630 children.
One final hurdle, an agreement with the developer of Stockley Park from 2000, under which cash was given for the maintaining of Lake Farm as a ‘public open space’, should be jumped soon, using planning law to appropriate the land.
HILLINGDON Council has taken a major step towards building its much-opposed primary school at Lake Farm Country Park, after the Mayor of London gave the project his backing.
Boris Johnson announced last week that he would not intervene in the borough’s plans to build a school on three hectares of green belt land, at the eastern end of Lake Farm Country park, off Botwell Lane, Hayes.
Mr Johnson has been persuaded that the necessary ‘very special circumstances’ – the urgent need to provide extra primary school places – outweighs the loss of green belt.
In his report, he states the search for alternative sites, 26 were considered in total, was ‘robust’.
The council approved the proposals during a stormy meeting in March, when councillors were heckled by a crowd of protestors.
The following week, Hayes and Harlington Labour MP John McDonnell took campaigners to City Hall to deliver letters to the mayor, urging him to use his powers and overturn the decision.
Mr Johnson’s approval has infuriated Mr McDonnell, who called it a ‘disgraceful betrayal of our local community.’
The progress of the development is now solely down to the Secretary of State, who also has to consider the application. His decision is imminent.
Councillor Ray Puddifoot, the leader of the council, said: “We are extremely pleased that the Mayor of London has recognised the importance of a good start in life for the children of Hayes and supported the building of a new school at Lake Farm.
“Opponents of the scheme have been given every opportunity to come up with an alternative site, but nothing feasible has materialised so we need to press ahead with the agreed proposal.”
The school, which the council wants open by 2015, will accommodate 630 children.
One final hurdle, an agreement with the developer of Stockley Park from 2000, under which cash was given for the maintaining of Lake Farm as a ‘public open space’, should be jumped soon, using planning law to appropriate the land.
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Meeting - Saturday 20th April
Dear Friend,
Re: Lake Farm Country Park
As you are aware Hillingdon Council forced through its Planning Committee plans to build a primary school on Lake Farm Country Park set in the green belt.
This was then passed on to the Mayor for London for his consideration.
I am writing to invite you to a meeting in order for me to update you on recent developments. This will take place on Saturday 20th April at 1pm in Botwell Social Centre, Botwell Lane, Hayes (between Botwell School and Botwell Church)
Please accept my apologies for the short notice but I have only just been made aware of the current situation with regard to this application.
I hope you can attend this meeting and I look forward to seeing you there.
Yours sincerely
John McDonnell MP
Re: Lake Farm Country Park
As you are aware Hillingdon Council forced through its Planning Committee plans to build a primary school on Lake Farm Country Park set in the green belt.
This was then passed on to the Mayor for London for his consideration.
I am writing to invite you to a meeting in order for me to update you on recent developments. This will take place on Saturday 20th April at 1pm in Botwell Social Centre, Botwell Lane, Hayes (between Botwell School and Botwell Church)
Please accept my apologies for the short notice but I have only just been made aware of the current situation with regard to this application.
I hope you can attend this meeting and I look forward to seeing you there.
Yours sincerely
John McDonnell MP
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Hayes campaigners take Green Belt fight to Boris
By Jack White 2:00pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in Hillingdon Times Local News
PEOPLE in Hayes are taking their fight to stop the council building a school on a Green Belt country park to City Hall today.
Hillingdon Council last week forced through a planning application to build a primary school for 630 pupils on Lake Farm Country Park in Botwell Common Road. The decision was met with jeers from the public gallery.
Mayor Boris Johnson may call in the plan for further scrutiny as it is on Green Belt land.
Save Lake Farm (Keep Botwell Common) campaigners hope Mr Johnson will declare the Lake Farm plans invalid under rules on Green Belt development.
John McDonnell, the Hayes MP, said: “We are calling on the mayor to
live up to his promises to protect the Green Belt in London. He has
already expressed his concerns about councils using the excuse of a
shortage of school places to build on the Green Belt and Hillingdon is
exactly this type of case.”
The campaign has the support of Len Duvall, Labour leader in the London Assembly, as well as Greater London Authority members Nicki Gavron and Onkar Sahota.
Alternatives to the new school have been proposed. Rosedale Primary School has offered to expand to meet growing demand for school places, while Nanaksar Primary School, which is due to open in September, has also said it is willing to expand to accommodate extra pupils.
PEOPLE in Hayes are taking their fight to stop the council building a school on a Green Belt country park to City Hall today.
Hillingdon Council last week forced through a planning application to build a primary school for 630 pupils on Lake Farm Country Park in Botwell Common Road. The decision was met with jeers from the public gallery.
Mayor Boris Johnson may call in the plan for further scrutiny as it is on Green Belt land.
Save Lake Farm (Keep Botwell Common) campaigners hope Mr Johnson will declare the Lake Farm plans invalid under rules on Green Belt development.
The campaign has the support of Len Duvall, Labour leader in the London Assembly, as well as Greater London Authority members Nicki Gavron and Onkar Sahota.
Alternatives to the new school have been proposed. Rosedale Primary School has offered to expand to meet growing demand for school places, while Nanaksar Primary School, which is due to open in September, has also said it is willing to expand to accommodate extra pupils.
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Please Write and Join Us at City Hall on Tuesday
Dear All,
As you are aware the London Borough of Hillingdon planning committee voted to approve the application for a school to be built on Lake Farm Country Park.
We now need to urge Boris Johnson, Mayor for London to intervene and exercise his powers to reject this planning application.
We need to request that he asserts pressure on Hillingdon Council to look more effectively at the alternatives available to meet the need for pupil places in our area without building upon such a sensitive area of green belt and open space, which is cherished by local residents.
Click here to download a letter for you to use should you wish to; just sign it and send it directly to Boris.
In addition, I have arranged for us to meet GLA members at City Hall. This will take place on Tuesday 12th March at 1pm. I am emailing to invite you to join us on Tuesday to voice our objection.
Thank you for your continuing support and I hope to see you on Tuesday
Best wishes
John
McDonnell MP
As you are aware the London Borough of Hillingdon planning committee voted to approve the application for a school to be built on Lake Farm Country Park.
We now need to urge Boris Johnson, Mayor for London to intervene and exercise his powers to reject this planning application.
We need to request that he asserts pressure on Hillingdon Council to look more effectively at the alternatives available to meet the need for pupil places in our area without building upon such a sensitive area of green belt and open space, which is cherished by local residents.
Click here to download a letter for you to use should you wish to; just sign it and send it directly to Boris.
In addition, I have arranged for us to meet GLA members at City Hall. This will take place on Tuesday 12th March at 1pm. I am emailing to invite you to join us on Tuesday to voice our objection.
Thank you for your continuing support and I hope to see you on Tuesday
Best wishes
John
McDonnell MP
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Council Forces Through Plans to Build on Lake Farm and Botwell Common
Last night the Council convened a special Planning Committee at short notice to force through its plans to build on Lake Farm Country Park and Botwell Common. The Planning meeting degenerated into near chaos as information contained in the Council’s reports recommending the development was comprehensively challenged by local residents and local Labour councillors.
The Councillors heard that there was no need for a new school to be built on this green belt land as pupil numbers could be catered for in the new Guru Nanak Free School to be opened later this year in the same ward. In addition a Governor from the new Rosedale Primary School repeated the Governors’ and School Headteacher’s offer to expand this school by a further form to assist in preventing the need to build on the green belt. It was revealed atht the old Hayes Swimming Pool site could also accomodate a new 2 form of entry school, thus avoiding the need to build on Lake Farm and Botwell Common.
All this was rejected by the Conservative councillors on the committee, not one of whom lives in the Hayes area. The campaign against this disastrous destruction of our green belt is now moving on to lobby Boris Johnson to call this planning application in for him to determine as it flies in the face of his policies to protect the green belt.
I will be joining local residents at 1pm at City Hall next Tuesday to deliver our letters to him urging him to intervene to save our park from these local vandal Conservative councillors.
Come and join on Tuesday.
Quoted from: www.john-mcdonnell.net
The Councillors heard that there was no need for a new school to be built on this green belt land as pupil numbers could be catered for in the new Guru Nanak Free School to be opened later this year in the same ward. In addition a Governor from the new Rosedale Primary School repeated the Governors’ and School Headteacher’s offer to expand this school by a further form to assist in preventing the need to build on the green belt. It was revealed atht the old Hayes Swimming Pool site could also accomodate a new 2 form of entry school, thus avoiding the need to build on Lake Farm and Botwell Common.
All this was rejected by the Conservative councillors on the committee, not one of whom lives in the Hayes area. The campaign against this disastrous destruction of our green belt is now moving on to lobby Boris Johnson to call this planning application in for him to determine as it flies in the face of his policies to protect the green belt.
I will be joining local residents at 1pm at City Hall next Tuesday to deliver our letters to him urging him to intervene to save our park from these local vandal Conservative councillors.
Come and join on Tuesday.
Quoted from: www.john-mcdonnell.net
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